AFA BUSINESS SERVICES
AFA Members receive significant benefits and discounts on a wide range of professional services.
Our Premium Partners are selected as trusted businesses, who provide quality services at special rates to the AFA family.
To enquire about Membership, please contact: membership@australian
BENEFITS INCLUDE:
APPRENTICESHIPS AND TRAINING – Apprenticeship Support Australia
Apprenticeship Support Australia (ASA) assists AFA’s nationwide membership to build workplace capability using the Australian Government’s funded apprenticeships program.
Apprenticeship Support Australia provides advice to employers, free of charge, to develop and maintain apprenticeship programs.
ASA maximise the benefits available to AFA Members nationally with advice on what incentives and training options are available, linking employers to Registered Training Organisations, registering apprentices as required and providing mentoring services.
Employers are able to use the Skillsroad.com.au website to share information with school leavers on opportunities available in the industry and to advertise apprenticeship and traineeship vacancies on the Skillsroad.com.au jobs board.
Our Members have the choice between having one national contact or multiple state based contacts to execute their programs.
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ACCOUNTING – XETA: Elevating Financial Management
In today’s hyper-competitive business environment, managing finances effectively is non-negotiable. This is where XETA Tax & Accounting steps in, offering unparalleled expertise and support to businesses of all sizes. With over 40 years of experience, XETA Tax & Accounting has honed its craft, becoming synonymous with technical excellence and strategic insight.
XETA provides their clients with bookkeeping, accounting, payroll, reporting, tax returns, professional advisory services, structure and consulting services to help them grow their business and family portfolio – everything in one place.
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AUSTRALIAN CONSUMER PROTECTION - ACCC
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is an independent Commonwealth statutory authority whose role is to enforce the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 and a range of additional legislation, promoting competition, fair trading and regulating national infrastructure for the benefit of all Australians.
The Australasian Furnishing Association (AFA) provides industry advice to the regulator and has produced an ACCC approved furnishing industry specific Australian Consumer Law Consumer Guarantees Guideline to assist industry professionals to meet their legal obligations.
The AFA provides support, advice and mediation services to AFA Members in relation to all matters related to Consumer issues.
AFA specialists are on hand to assist AFA Members with all consumer complaints enquiries.
WANT TO KNOW MORE? email compliance@australianfurniture.org.au
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AFA ADVICE LINE
The Australasian Furnishing Association (AFA) is the peak industry organisation representing Australia in the global furnishing industry market.
AFA Members includes individuals and businesses spanning the entire furnishing industry residential and contract furniture supply chain.
AFA Members are professionals who abide by the values and professional conduct that the industry aspires to.
Stakeholders include:
- Students of design or manufacturing, including apprentices and trainees;
- Employers;
- Training institutions and training practitioners delivering and developing furnishing related courses ;
- Suppliers of equipment or materials to the industry;
- Testing and certification organisations spanning production process through to due diligence regulations;
- Australian and international standards and compliance bodies across consumer law and mandatory product standards;
- Manufacturers of custom Australian products through to assembly of a mix of imported or locally made components;
- Importers and Exporters;
- Online or store retailers;
- Buyers of products or services spanning residential or commercial furnishing markets such as public spaces and government procurement, through to property developers and wholesalers;
- Allied industry partners such as associations across the homewares, hospitality, health, education, and other sectors;
- International partners such as global design awards, mentoring programs and technology sharing;
- Agents and sales teams.
The diversity of the AFA’s Membership allows it to fulfill its purpose to connect and support Members with the knowledge and understanding of the global furnishing industry, to increase trade, position Australia as a high quality global furnishings supply nation and grow businesses along the entire supply chain in order to stimulate that growth.
The AFA does this by contributing to worldwide consultation, collaborating with the Australian and state governments, positioning Australia as the ‘go to nation’ for high quality, clean, green products and services on behalf of all AFA Members, particularly in the Australasia region, by supporting each segment of the supply chain as required.
The AFA is also committed to helping AFA Member businesses with a focus on building competitive and sustainable business models and to promote the profitable growth, innovation and success of our Members by providing advocacy and lobbying leadership via government and industry led networks, standing between the importation of substandard products to Australia to reinforce a level playing field and protect Australian businesses and sourcing ‘group buying’ opportunities to reduce our Members operating costs.
The AFA does this by providing a broad range of business services and via its involvement in Standards and regulatory committees, performing a leading role in the Australian government’s industry reference committee to redevelop the furnishing training package, lobbying and advocacy in all sectors of the design, supply and manufacture of furnishing products and services into other industries such as the hospitality, education and health sectors, partnering with allied industries to increase awareness of the importance of purchasing high quality, products which meet the appropriate standards, are safe and fit for purpose.
The AFA also mediates on behalf of our Members to handle consumer complaints and work closely with all parties, including regulatory bodies, to rectify each issue as it comes to hand.
The AFA conducts workshops and events to assist Members to increase their business and skill knowledge and the AFA Shop contains resources and tools related to research, legislation and regulatory requirements for online purchase.
Are you missing out? Become an AFA Member today.
AUSTRALIAN TESTING & CERTIFICATION - AFRDI
DID YOU KNOW THAT MANY FURNITURE PRODUCTS MUST MEET AUSTRALIAN STANDARDS AND BE TESTED ACCORDINGLY?
The Australasian Furnishing Research & Development Institute (AFRDI), also known as Furntech, is a technical organisation serving the interests of buyers and sellers of furnishings in Australia, New Zealand and beyond.
Furniture displaying the FURNTECH-AFRDI logos and certification marks carries an assurance of quality and high standards often demanded by consumers, retailers and sometimes by law.
WHAT IS FURNTECH-AFRDI?
AFRDI is a Registered Research Agency (RRA) which carries out testing for products in the high-risk development categories. AFRDI services may attract a tax rebate under the Australian government’s
Research and Development support program.
WHAT DOES FURNTECH-AFRDI DO?
Furntech-AFRDI provides testing and certification to manufacturers who are required to meet certain standards and provide evidence to their clients. Consumers and wholesale buyers are increasingly seeking out products that can be verified as tested to the highest Australian Standards.
Australasian Furnishing Association Members enjoy significant discounts for AFRDI Testing * conditions apply. The value of AFRDI discounts for AFA Members completely offset or exceed the cost of AFA Membership.
Not an AFA Member? Simply register HERE or contact us on membership@australianfurniture.org.au
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BUSINESS INSURANCE - BizCover
Why BizCover? BizCover make small business insurance simple.
BizCover is Australia’s number one online business insurance service. With over 10 years of experience behind us, we know that many businesses, especially small businesses, need a faster, simpler insurance experience.
BizCover can help AFA Members to compare and buy great cover – at a highly competitive price – from some of Australia’s leading insurance companies.
Fast, hassle-free experience.
Built for small business
We know insurance and what makes small businesses tick.
Clear and competitive pricing
You can compare and choose from a range of highly competitive prices right there on your screen. Seriously.
Cover to match your needs
You can tailor policies from some of Australia’s top insurers to suit the needs of your business, and we are there to help!
Real people adding real value
Our friendly service team is on hand and on a mission to make you smile!
We won’t bore you with jargon
We’re not fans of complicated insurance speak, so we talk to you in plain English.
Australia’s No.1 online insurance business
The trophy cabinet is filling up, but we take more pride in the 90,000 small businesses we have helped already… and counting.
USE THE AFA MEMBER PROMO CODE AT CHECKOUT – AFA
ENERGY SERVICES – Selectricity
Selectricity
The Team at Selectricity provide expert advice and guidance on energy-related matters to clients, businesses, and organisations. We assess energy needs, develop tailored solutions, and help clients procure energy, optimise usage, reduce costs, and enhance sustainability. Selectricity stays updated on energy pricing, industry trends, regulations, and emerging technologies to provide comprehensive and up-to-date recommendations to our clients regarding energy-related matters”.
At the core of our ethos lies a deep commitment to leveraging our industry expertise and providing unparalleled customer service. We understand that cultivating strong relationships built on trust is paramount, as it opens the door to truly understanding our clients’ businesses. Through this understanding, we are better equipped to guide them through the ever-changing landscape of the energy industry, ensuring they secure the most competitive energy pricing available in the market. Our dedication to our clients goes beyond mere transactions; it’s about forging lasting partnerships that drive mutual success.
COMMERCIAL LITIGATION & EMPLOYMENT LAW – Archer Thompson Lawyers
- Employment Law
- Commercial Law
- Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution
- Debt Recovery
Archer Thompson Lawyers is a trusted advisor and has provided expert legal guidance and solutions to employers, executives, and employees for over 15 years.
We genuinely value our clients and have built close business relationships based on our reliability, transparency, and high-level advice. Conscious of the commercial and legal challenges faced by our clients, we offer a responsive and flexible service, tailored to their circumstances.
We are commercially insightful with a reputation for delivering effective and pragmatic results. Our network of professionals ensures that our clients can access specialist advice particular to the complexities of their legal matters, if needed. AFA Members receive special rates and complimentary first consultation.
Contact Archer Thompson Lawyers HERE
Corporate & Commercial Law – Perry Advisory
Corporate Law- Commercial Law & Advisory
- Contracts & Tendering
- Strategic Risk Management
- IP Commercialisation
- Public Law
Corporate LawPerry Advisory Pty Limited is a law firm, specialising in the corporate advisory area. We provide legal counsel focused on understanding our clients’ business objectives in order to deliver more than just legal advice.
In addition to providing external legal advice, Perry Advisory aims to gain deeper insight through better engagement. This allows us to emulate the benefits of having in-house counsel for companies that do not presently have General Counsel or a legal team in Australia, as well as extending the existing legal capacity of those that do.
At Perry Advisory, we have a strong practice across a number of industry sectors. Practice areas include information technology, medical device and pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and specialty manufacturing.
At Perry Advisory, we also draw upon the resources of affiliated specialist advisors and lawyers when additional specialist advice is appropriate.
Contact Perry Advisory HERE
DIGITAL MARKETING – Coconut Co
Engagement Specialists: Sparking Connections, Igniting Success!
At Coconut.Co, we are a dynamic Digital Marketing and Community Engagement consultancy dedicated to helping businesses and organisations build meaningful connections with their audiences. Founded by Rachael Forrester, an Engagement Specialist with a strong Project Management and Coordination background, Coconut.Co thrives on a passion for social media and community engagement.
Our approach is driven by four key ingredients that we believe are essential to success: inclusivity, community, diversity, and strategy. These values are at the heart of everything we do, guiding us in creating strategies that resonate deeply and authentically with diverse audiences. We are continuously inspired to honour these principles in our work, fostering environments where every voice is heard, and every story is valued.
At Coconut.Co, we don’t just market; we connect. We don’t just build brands; we build communities. Join us, and let’s create something remarkable together.
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EDUCATION & TRAINING PROVIDERS
LAWYERS - Lazarus
Lazarus Legal, a Premium AFA Partner, provides expert legal advice and systems to support, protect and grow AFA Member businesses. Lazarus Legal firmly believe that long-term relationships are built around honesty, transparency and open communication. A philosophy shared by the AFA and its Members. Lazarus Legal provides AFA Members with tiered discounts to work on either a fixed project fee basis to deliver day-to-day support on all legal matters, or on agreed monthly retainers to act as external ‘in-house’ counsel or your dedicated ‘Advisor-on-Tap’.
GRANTS & TENDERS - Furniture Contracts Australia
Furniture Contracts Australia offers a bespoke Bid, Grant and Tender writing experience, tailored to each clients individual needs and aspirations, including the following:
- Grant Writing – Support with creating, developing and implementing a strategy to support third party grant funding success by facilitating a proven framework that leads to continuous success.
- Bid and Tender Strategy/Writing – Support with creating, developing and implementing a strategy to support the development of standard consistent winning bids and to ensure compliance.
- Bid Library Health Checks – reviewing current documentation and suggest improvements to ensure that your business stands out and is the ideal choice/candidate
- Quoting Process Improvements – Enabling your business to apply and create meaningful prospecting processes and proposals, develop laser-sharp client targeting, as well as creating a savvy follow-up process that will ensure more future business and better customer relationships.
The proven services offered by Furniture Contracts Australia will be managed by the Australian Furniture Association to ensure quality outcomes that live up to the AFA standards. This offering is exclusive to all AFA members.
For more information on customised business growth support with Furniture Contracts Australia to expand, grow and deliver the best outcome for your business, contact strategy@theafa.asn.au.
INTERNATIONAL TESTING & CERTIFICATION - SGS
SGS Furniture Testing Services in China, Hong Kong and Vietnam, can help furniture manufacturers, suppliers, importers and distributors to comply with Australia’s strict product safety and standards requirements. They help businesses deliver well-designed, functional, durable and safe products to Australian customers. SGS have the furniture industry, regulatory and technical expertise to check a products’ compliance against relevant standards and specifications.
AFA Members receive significant discounts for testing which can be used to promote compliant safe products to clients and consumers. The value of SGS discounts for AFA Members exceeds the cost of AFA Membership.
Not an AFA Member? Simply register HERE or contact us on membership@australianfurniture.org.au
IMMIGRATION LAWYERS - Ajuria Lawyers
Ajuria Lawyers is a leader in the complex and ever-changing area of corporate immigration. Immigration law is all we do. It has been our focus for decades, and we are proud of how we do it professionally. We provide advice and assistance with everything from visas to immigration strategies, compliance to lobbying and communications.
At Ajuria Lawyers, we take immense pride in our diverse team, which includes individuals from various cultures and backgrounds. With a team that reflects the nature of immigration, we ensure a comprehensive understanding of your needs. We offer support in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Hindi, Punjabi, and more.
We always stay updated with changes in immigration laws to provide you with the most current and effective advice.
Know the Law
‘Know the Law’ is for AFA Member Businesses seeking straightforward, understandable legal information on a variety of subjects, without the jargon.
The AFA provides information on a variety of Australian laws, including those pertaining to workplace, business, debt, property, compliance, liquidation, insolvency, consumer and taxation. We’re prepared to assist.
Knowing your position and basing your decision on correct information are essential tools to successfully resolving any disagreements or understanding compliance, regulatory or legislative requirements.
The most difficult element is typically determining your position so that you can make an informed choice. The Australian Furniture Association can help you ‘know the law’.
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Make Money
Providing your ‘sales’ team with validated buyers of commercial, contract and residential furniture products, through to provision of ongoing supply, repair and maintenance services.
This is a national service offering, delivered by a trusted source.
Win More:
- Select the right opportunities
- Opportunity planning – plan to succeed
- Weighting criteria and value assessment
- Compliance imperatives
- Resource management
- Bid library – the must-haves
- Executive Summary planning
- Document alignment – Response, demonstrable capability, evidence
Retain More:
- Keep your clients
- Debriefing
- Handover – the essentials
- Success champion/planning
- Managing expectations
- The feedback loop – we listen
- Updating the Bid library
Benefits:
- Increase the Return On Investment
- Increase strike rate
- Increase interdepartmental and buyer collaboration
- Ensure bid conformance
- Stand out
We’re prepared to assist.
The Australian Furniture Association can help you ‘Make Money’. Complete your EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FORM HERE to activate your application now!
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PEFC AUSTRALIA - WOOD CERTIFICATION STANDARDS – Responsible Wood
Responsible Wood* are pioneers in the development of certification standards for wood and wood products sourced from sustainably managed forests in Australia. RW standards provide guidance and accountability for forest managers, manufacturers and suppliers. We are committed to protecting and promoting Australia’s unique environments with standards that ensure a forest industry that is environmentally, socially, culturally and commercially sustainable.
Responsible Wood manage the Responsible Wood Certification Scheme which is underpinned by two Australian Standards®:
Responsible Wood is Australia’s largest forest certification scheme and the only scheme endorsed by an Australian Standard.
Responsible Wood also manage the New Zealand Forest Management Scheme on behalf of the New Zealand Forest Certification Association (NZFCA). The Scheme is underpinned by two standards:
Both certification schemes are endorsed by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), the global authority on sustainable forest management.
Through certification, education and communication, Responsible Wood will develop demand for Australian wood products that are sourced using sustainable forest managed practices tailored to specific regions and environmental conditions. The Responsible Wood certification program provides confidence for consumers, differentiating certified Australian wood products, making them easier to buy.
*Responsible Wood, is a not-for-profit standards development organisation [formerly known as Australian Forestry Standard Ltd].
Not an AFA Member? Simply register HERE or contact us on membership@australianfurniture.org.au
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PRODUCT SAFETY
The AFA places a strong emphasis on product safety. It actively supports Members’ safety programs and promotes action across the industry to improve furniture safety.
We remind consumers to look for the Australian Furniture Association logo when purchasing furniture. The AFA receives numerous consumer enquiries on a daily basis and it makes it easier for us to assist if we can trace back to an AFA Member for support and action, both to protect the consumer and also assist our Members to be responsible and compliant suppliers.
PROFESSIONAL INDEMNITY INSURANCE – BizCover
Professional Indemnity Insurance – BizCover
Why BizCover? BizCover make small business insurance simple.
BizCover is Australia’s number one online business insurance service. With over 10 years of experience behind us, we know that many businesses, especially small businesses, need a faster, simpler insurance experience.
BizCover can help AFA Members to compare and buy great cover – at a highly competitive price – from some of Australia’s leading insurance companies.
Fast, hassle-free experience.
Built for small business
We know insurance and what makes small businesses tick.
Clear and competitive pricing
You can compare and choose from a range of highly competitive prices right there on your screen. Seriously.
Cover to match your needs
You can tailor policies from some of Australia’s top insurers to suit the needs of your business, and we are there to help!
Real people adding real value
Our friendly service team is on hand and on a mission to make you smile!
We won’t bore you with jargon
We’re not fans of complicated insurance speak, so we talk to you in plain English.
Australia’s No.1 online insurance business
The trophy cabinet is filling up, but we take more pride in the 90,000 small businesses we have helped already… and counting.
USE THE AFA MEMBER PROMO CODE AT CHECKOUT – AFA
PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE – BizCover
Why BizCover? BizCover make small business insurance simple.
BizCover is Australia’s number one online business insurance service. With over 10 years of experience behind us, we know that many businesses, especially small businesses, need a faster, simpler insurance experience.
BizCover can help AFA Members to compare and buy great cover – at a highly competitive price – from some of Australia’s leading insurance companies.
Fast, hassle-free experience.
Built for small business
We know insurance and what makes small businesses tick.
Clear and competitive pricing
You can compare and choose from a range of highly competitive prices right there on your screen. Seriously.
Cover to match your needs
You can tailor policies from some of Australia’s top insurers to suit the needs of your business, and we are there to help!
Real people adding real value
Our friendly service team is on hand and on a mission to make you smile!
We won’t bore you with jargon
We’re not fans of complicated insurance speak, so we talk to you in plain English.
Australia’s No.1 online insurance business
The trophy cabinet is filling up, but we take more pride in the 90,000 small businesses we have helped already… and counting.
USE THE AFA MEMBER PROMO CODE AT CHECKOUT – AFA
Save Money
TIMBER IMPORTERS - Illegal Logging Regulation
The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) requires that EVERY IMPORTED PRODUCT CONTAINING ANY TIMBER meets the Illegal Logging Regulation and the Due Diligence Act.
It is the LAW. Penalties now apply. The penalty for breaching the Act are as much as 5 years in jail and fines of 500 penalty units OR AUD $150,000.00.
The AFA is the accredited provider of the DAWE endorsed Timber Due Diligence System. This system contains all the templates and guidelines to assist Members with meeting their compliance requirements.
DO YOU IMPORT ANY TIMBER PRODUCTS? Download your toolkit now!
Frequently Asked Questions. READ MORE